Suspendable support for articles and method

ABSTRACT

An elongated main supporting element having a plurality of elongated, flexible loops secured at one of their ends to said element at spaced points along said element. The opposite ends of said loops are closed and each has a finger graspable tab or extension projecting from the closed end. The elongated loops are flexible and each comprises a pair of strands of strong, flexible material in side-by-side relation for forming a conventional lark&#39;&#39;s head hitch to provide a bight or slip noose within which an article may be gripped and releasably held for suspension from the elongated main element. The bight adapted to be formed by the lark&#39;&#39;s head hitch will securely hold the article within the bight, and the extension or tab on the closed end of the loop enables a quick release of the bight for removing the article. A loop at one or both ends of the main supporting element enables suspending it and the loops will be suspended substantially vertically from the main element before and after an article is held in the hitch that may be formed in the respective loops, and the influence of gravity on such articles will function to tighten the bight about each article.

United States Patent mi Aguilar [54] SUSPENDABLE SUPPORT FOR ARTICLES AND METHOD [76] Inventor: Henry Aguilar, 1309 27th Avenue,

San Francisco, Calif. 94122 22 Filed: April 12,1911

21 Appl. No.: 133,312

Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Boyken, Mohler, Foster & Schwab [57] ABSTRACT An elongated main supporting element having a plurality of elongated, flexible loops secured at one of their ends to said element at spaced points along said element. The opposite ends of said loops are closed and each has a finger graspable tab or extension projecting from the closed end. The elongated loops are flexible and each comprises a pair of strands of strong, flexible material in side-by-side relation for forming a conventional larks head hitch to provide a bight or slip noose within which an article may be gripped and releasably held for suspension from the elongated main element. The bight adapted to be formed by the larks head hitch will securely hold the article within the bight, and the extension or tab on the closed'end of the loop enables a quick release of the bight for j removing the article. A loop at one orboth ends of the main supporting element enables suspending it and the loops will be suspended substantially vertically from the main element before and after an article is held in the hitch that may be formed in the respective loops, and the influence of gravity on such articles will function to tighten the bight about each article.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAR '9 I873 3,709,373

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3/3 Fil6.7 i 25 INVENTOR H ENRY AGUILAR EEY w 7774544., 'AM ".t,\ ATTORNEYS SUSPENDABLE SUPPORT FOR ARTICLES AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Heretofore in workshops and workrooms were various articles, such as different tools, utensils or packages of objects are kept for use, the problem exists of storing such articles in a compact space where they are visible for ready selection and are readily accessible for removal and replacement without disturbing other articles, also in storage. Usually tools, for example, may be held by individual clamps, hooks or the like spaced on a wall, or else they are laid out on shelves projecting into the room or, in furniture. In any event, they cover a substantial area and many of the items are inaccessible to the reach of a person in one position.

Also, heretofore most holders or supports are constructed to hold articles of one general shape, hence as different holders or supports are required for differently'shaped articles, and any change in the location of the articles being held requires independent removal and re-securement of each holder or support.

A still further objection to many conventional holders or supports is the injury to the articles held by the supports caused by repeated frictional resistance by removal and replacement of the articles in the holders, which is particularly noticeable where the holders are designed to insure a tight grip on the articles so as to prevent accidental falling.

SUMMARY One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a common support or element adapted to suspend therefrom a plurality of individual articles of different shapes and sizes within a relatively small area and to releasably hold each article in secure suspension against accidental release, and which articles are readily. secured in suspension and readily released therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a hanger of flexible material provided with a plurality of separate pairs of flexible strands in side-by-side relation, one of the corresponding ends of the strands of said pairs being secured to a single elongated, flexible main hanger element at spaced points along the hanger element for forming a larks head hitch of the desired size about the article to be suspended from each pair of strands. The main hanger element may be suspended from either of its opposite ends, to hang vertically from one end, or may be suspended from both ends in a horizontal position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a one-piece hanger having a single elongated flexible main element from which a plurality of elongated loops of strong, flexible plastic material are suspended, which loops are closed at their outer ends remote from said element are are adapted to be formed into conventional larks head hitches to provide bights for encircling and releasably holding articles of different shapes and sizes, said plastic material being relatively soft to preclude scratching or marring articles held by said hitches, and each loop including a tab or extension at its closed end for quickly releasing the hitch that may encircle and hold an article.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a hanger suspended from one end to hang vertically, the main support, and the pairs of strands for releasably holding articles being indicated in single lines, each pair of strands being indicated in a single line extending to one side of the main support, for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating structure and with each pair of article-holding strands being in a position releasably holding an article.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a different structure than in FIG. 2 for securing a pair of strands to the main support.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a further modification of the view shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a hanger molded in one piece.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of 'hanger structure slightly modified from the structure shown in FIG. 5. a

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view taken along line 7 --7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE The structure of the hanger shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the same. In this structure the hanger is formed in one piece from a conventional cord of flexible plastic material, such as NYLON, which may be woven or twisted from individual threads or fibers. A length of the cord is formed with a loop 1 at one or both ends by doubling each end portion on the main length of the cord and forming a conventional overhand knot 20.

Spaced along the main length 3 of the cord between the end loops, the cord is doubled on itself and knotted at 4 with a knot, such as a single surgeonss knot, to form long loops 5 each having a closed outer end that is knotted at 6 with a knot, such as any overhand loop knot to provide a finger graspable tab or extension 7 projecting from said closed end. I

The strands of loops 5 may project a substantial distance from the main supporting length 3, such as approximately 6 to 8 inches, as an example, to enable each loop to be formed into a conventional larks head hitch for surrounding the article 8 to be held in the bight 9 of the hitch.

Each hitch, when around the article, will securely grip the article to hold it in the bight, but the article may be quickly released by upward pullingthe finger graspable tab 7.

As seen in FIG. 2, the size and contour of the articles held is immaterial as long as the strands of loops 5 are sufficiently long to provide a bight through which a portion of the article may be inserted.

The loops 5 for holding the articles may extend from one side or from opposite sides of the length of the main length of the supporting cord 3 extending between the loops. 7

The spacing of say approximatelyone inch between knots 4 has been found to be practical, and with such a structure, a hanger 3 feet in length would have, loops for approximately 30 articles. The invention is not intended, however, to be limited as .to the distance between adjacent loops.

The hangers may be suspended vertically from one end only, in which case the loop 1 at the upper end may receive a hook 16 (FIG. 1) for suspending the hanger and its load of articles, or the hanger may horizontally be suspending it from rigid hooks extending through the end loops.

In any event the articles are visible, and transparent bags with their mouth portions gathered to close, in which case the hitch will securely hold the bag closed whether or not the mouth portion is tied, or cylindrical transparent containers when suspended as seen in FIG. 2 are securely held with their contents visible. Also screw drivers, pliers and any number of articles may be suspended within a compact area and securely held against displacement or falling, yet are readily releasable.

FIG. 3 illustrates a single length of conventional woven cord 18 which may be formed with a loop at one or both ends for suspending the cord. A separate strand 19 may be doubled on itself to form a loop generally designated 20 through which the larger cord 18 may be extended, and the ends of strand 19 are then threaded through the mesh of the cord 18 to form the loop 20 projecting from one side of cord 18. A knot 21 ties the free ends of the strands together providing a finger graspable projection 22 outwardly of the knot that performs the same function as the tabs 7 in FIGS. 1, 2. In this form of the invention, the cord 18 may be substantially larger than the strands 19 that are secured thereto. Braided plastic cords are conventional, hence the braided appearance of the cord is omitted for'purpose of clarity in showing structure.

The structure of FIG. 4 may be the same as that of FIG. 3 except that the strands 23 for fonning the article holding loop are provided with an enlargement 24 secured to the strands to act as a stop for engaging the side of the supporting cord 25 to prevent its being pulled through the cord 25. I

FIG. 6 shows a one piece molded hanger, the material being a strong highly flexible plastic material providing a main length 27 having a loop 28 at one or both ends. Long loops 29, integral with the main length 27, project from said main length at spaced points. A finger graspable tab 30 integral with each loop 29 at its outer closed end is adapted to function in the same manner as tabs 7.

The loops 29 are adapted to form bights the same as loops 5 for encircling and holding articles. Said loops 29 may alternately extend from opposite sides of the main length 27 or they may extend from the same side, and the entire hanger may be readily molded by conventional methods. The flexibility of the material is such that the loops will hang substantially vertically under the influence of gravity when holding articles.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of the structure of FIG. 5, the hanger being molded, and the plastic material being tough and quite flexible. In FIGS. 6 and 7 supporting length 33 has loops 34 (FIG. 7) integral therewith, the strands of said loops extending from opposite sides of the main support 34. Finger graspable tabs 35 are integrally formed on the loops 34 at their closed ends.

The hangers of FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 are all formed from a single piece of material, and automatic knot tying machinery may be used to form the knots of the hanger shown in FIG. 2. In any event the loops for forming the bights to grip the articles are highly flexible and are quickly releasable by pulling the finger engaging tabs upwardly.

In all forms the loops are secured to a main support.

Preferably the main supporting element is also quite flexible and tough enabling the hanger to be bent or to bewound into a small package for or shipping without permanent distortion or breakage.

From the foregoing description it is seen that as a method, the steps of forming larks head hitches in elongated loops of flexible material suspended from a main element, and inserting the articles to be suspended within the bights formed by said hitches and then tightening the bights and releasing the articles for suspension within said bights results in the bights being automatically tightened and held tightened under the influence of gravity when the main element itself is suspended with the articles free from any support other than the loops having the bights within which the articles are respectively positioned.

The hanger itself provides the structure for carrying out the method.

I claim: v

1. The method of suspending a plurality of articles from a single element comprising the steps of:

a. suspending from one of its ends a single elongated main element having flexible elongated loops secured thereto at one of their ends at points spaced along said element,

b. forming larks head hitches in said loops thereby providing a bight for each hitch,

c. inserting an article to be suspended within each bight, Y

d. tightening the bight about each article thereon and then e. releasing the articles within each bight so tightened for suspension from said loops and element free from other support for holding said articles within said bights and for maintaining said bights tight around said articles under the influence of gravity on said articles.

2. A hanger for articles of various shapes and sizes comprising:

a. an elongated element,

b. means for suspending said c. a plurality of elongated loops, each of said loops comprising a pair of elongated strands in side-byside relation secured to said element at one of their ends at spaced points along said element and connected at their opposite ends for providing closed ends of said loops opposite to said one of their ends,

. said strands being of flexible material for hanging generally vertically from said element, and for forming a larks head hitch to provide a bight spaced from said element within which bight an article is adapted to be held with the closed end of each bight being at the closed end of each bight being at one side of the element to be held therein.

. In a hanger as defined in claim 2;

. a finger graspable tab secured to and projecting from said closed end of each loop for loosening each bight upon upward pulling of said tab,

f. said element and said loops and tabs being of flexible plastic material.

4. In a hanger as defined in claim 2;

e. said element and said strands and tabs being a single cord of NYLON knotted to form said element,

element on a rigid supelongated loops and tabs, and the means for suspending said element.

5. In a hanger as defined in claim 2;

e. said element, strands, tabs and the means for suspending said element being an integral body of '5 plastic material molded to form-said element, strands, tabs, and the means for suspending said element. 

1. The method of suspending a plurality of articles from a single element comprising the steps of: a. suspending from one of its ends a single elongated main element having flexible elongated loops secured thereto at one of their ends at points spaced along said element, b. forming lark''s head hitches in said loops thereby providing a bight for each hitch, c. inserting an article to be suspended within each bight, d. tightening the bight about each article thereon and then e. releasing the articles within each bight so tightened for suspension from said loops and element free from other support for holding said articles within said bights and for maintaining said bights tight around said articles under the influence of gravity on said articles.
 2. A hanger for articles of various shapes and sizes comprising: a. an elongated element, b. means for suspending said element on a rigid support, c. a plurality of elongated loops, each of said loops comprising a pair of elongated strands in side-by-side relation secured to said element at one of their ends at spaced points along said element and connected at their opposite ends for providing closed ends of said loops opposite to said one of their ends, d. said strands being of flexible material for hanging generally vertically from said element, and for forming a lark''s head hitch to provide a bight spaced from said element within which bight an article is adapted to be held with the closed end of each bight being at the closed end of each bight being at one side of the element to be held therein.
 3. In a hanger as defined in claim 2; e. a finger graspable tab secured to and projecting from said closed end of each loop for loosening each bight upon upward pulling of said tab, f. said element and said loops and tabs being of flexible plastic material.
 4. In a hanger as defined in claim 2; e. said element and said strands and tabs being a single cord of NYLON knotted to form said element, elongated loops and tabs, and the means for suspending said element.
 5. In a hanger as defined in claim 2; e. said element, strands, tabs and the means for suspending said element being an integral body of plastic material molded to form said element, strands, tabs, and the means for suspending said element. 